Starting in 2026, a single set of textbooks will be uniformly applied nationwide.

The results of the vote to pass the Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Education Law. (Photo: DUY LINH)

On the morning of December 10th, under the chairmanship of Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Thanh, with an overwhelming majority of National Assembly deputies voting in favor, the National Assembly passed the Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Education. The result was 437 out of 445 deputies voting in favor, achieving a rate of 92.39%, officially passing this law.

Accordingly, the law clearly defines the role of teachers, the legal status of educational institutions, the development of artificial intelligence in education and training, the system of diplomas and certificates of the national education system, and especially the unified use of a single set of textbooks for general education nationwide.

The law shall come into effect on January 1, 2026, except for the cases stipulated in Clause 2, Article 2 of the law.

Earlier, National Assembly delegates listened to Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son, authorized by the Prime Minister , present the report explaining, accepting, and revising the draft Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Education.

Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son presents the report explaining, receiving feedback, and revising the draft Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Education Law. (Photo: DUY LINH)

Accordingly, the Government has incorporated the review comments to revise the draft, stipulating that the Minister of Education and Training shall decide on a set of general education textbooks for unified national use. This ensures that the Ministry of Education and Training can choose to compile a new set of textbooks or select and revise existing ones, depending on the practical situation and the decision of the competent authority.

In addition, the draft continues to entrust the Government with the authority to regulate the free provision of textbooks for students; at the same time, it removes the provision "entrusting the Government with the authority to regulate the details of the socialization of textbooks".

In the current context, it is not yet feasible to immediately legalize a unified set of textbooks directly compiled by the State or implemented through a socialized mechanism, as the specific plan is still under consideration by the competent authorities.

Furthermore, the open-ended nature of the regulations in the draft helps ensure the stability of the law, avoiding rigid constraints when the policy is still under research and impact assessment.

Regarding the socialization of education, including the donation of textbooks for general education by organizations and individuals, this will continue to be implemented in accordance with Article 16 of the current Education Law and other relevant legal regulations.

In addition, the draft has revised and clarified the legal status of "vocational high school" within vocational education, stating that "Vocational education includes elementary, vocational high school, intermediate, college, and other vocational training programs" (point c, clause 2 and clause 3, Article 6); clearly defining "vocational high school education at the same level as general high school education" to improve the effectiveness of student streaming, increase the articulation between general high school education and vocational training, clarify the legal value of vocational high school diplomas, and the right to pursue higher education through the amendment and supplementation of clause 1, Article 38, "University-level training for learners who have graduated from general high school, vocational high school, or equivalent or higher."

The draft amendment to Clause 2, Article 9 on streaming clearly demonstrates the creation of conditions for students, after completing lower secondary education, upper secondary education, vocational secondary education and equivalent programs, to continue their studies at higher levels or participate in labor suitable to their abilities, strengths, talents, personal circumstances and the needs of society.

At the same time, the Government has directed the Ministry of Education and Training, based on its assigned authority, to research and develop a plan to ensure the legitimate rights of learners and guarantee the quality of education in the Minister's Circular detailing regulations on streaming and articulation as well as regulations on admissions.

Overview of the meeting. (Photo: DUY LINH)

The government has directed a review and revision to standardize the regulation prohibiting the issuance of junior high school diplomas, replacing it with the phrase "completion of junior high school program or equivalent" throughout the entire draft law. At the same time, the draft stipulates that diplomas and certificates will be issued in paper or digital form, aiming to promote the implementation of digital transformation policies in education.

In addition, the draft standardizes the term "diploma of specialized training programs in certain specific fields" instead of "equivalent diploma," accurately reflecting the nature of degrees such as those of doctors, pharmacists, engineers, and architects; ensuring consistency with the draft Law on Higher Education (amended) and aligning with international practices.

For postgraduate advanced training programs in the health sector leading to degrees such as residency and specialist doctor programs, the guidance on organization, implementation, and management will be carried out by the Ministry of Health in accordance with the provisions of the draft Law on Higher Education (amended).

The government has incorporated the review opinions and the opinions of National Assembly deputies, supplementing regulations on teaching a significant amount of general education and cultural knowledge in the training programs of some specific fields and professions, in order to resolve difficulties and obstacles in practice (especially in the fields of arts, physical education, and sports).

At the same time, the draft abolishes Clause 2 of Article 28 and assigns the Minister of Education and Training the authority to regulate cases where students are allowed to skip grades, study at an age older or younger than the age stipulated in Clause 1, thereby increasing flexibility and suitability to the diverse conditions and abilities of students, especially ethnic minority students, students with special circumstances, or those with outstanding talents and aptitudes; in line with the orientation of talent development and building an open, flexible, and modern education system.

RESURRECTION

Source: https://nhandan.vn/tu-nam-2026-ap-dung-thong-nhat-mot-bo-sach-giao-khoa-tren-toan-quoc-post929253.html